Hundreds of Kent businesses are "slipping through the net" and not receiving vital government funds during the lockdown crisis.

Figures show more than 54,000 companies across the UK are unable to secure a much-needed £25,000 grant due their business rates calculation.

Those with valuations falling between £51,000 and £150,000 are unable to get the support offered to tens of thousands of others.

The government has made clear those which fall into the price range will not be offered the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant (RHLG).

But it has left the likes of the House of Agnes hotel in Canterbury struggling to stay afloat.

Owner Sandie de Rougemont says work to renovate her business has led to her rateable value unfairly shooting up.

She said: "We have spent 13 years investing immense amounts of time and money to restore this historically significant 15th century Grade-II listed property.

"In 2017, our rateable value was increased from £20,000 to £71,500. We have been on appeal for three years and still haven’t received a decision.

"At a time when we are usually in our busiest period we find ourselves in this predicament because our rateable value is in question.

"It is strange the large businesses and small businesses are being offered financial support yet we seem to be one of those equally deserving businesses that has slipped through many of the safety nets.”

A campaign group named #RaiseTheBar is now pressing the government to raise the arbitrary £51,000 business rates threshold cap to £150,000.

It is calculated an extra £1.4 billion of relief money is needed to support all of the in-need businesses.

Lisa Carlson, chief executive of Canterbury's Business Improvement District (BID), said: "In Canterbury city centre alone, this additional support would help more than 120 businesses.

"These sectors are vital to our local economy and must be protected.

"These are unprecedented times for our economy at a local, regional and national level. It is absolutely right that industry leaders, political figures and BIDs are calling on the government to support businesses within the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors."

Calls to increase the rateable value threshold have gained momentum, with 86 MPs writing to the chancellor calling for action.

High street businesses now face an eight-week countdown until the due date for quarterly rent on June 24.

It is feared those unable to get the £25,000 will struggle to met the required payments.

Canterbury BID says amending the rateable value "will not only save businesses but we also save jobs".

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